pterodactyl - definition and meaning pterodactyl Definitions from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition n. Any of various small, mostly tailless, extinct flying reptiles of the order Pterosauria that existed during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License n. Any of various small, mostly tailless, extinct flying reptiles of the order Pterosauria that existed during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English n. An extinct flying reptile; one of the Pterosauria. See Illustration in Appendix. from The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia n. An extinct reptile of the genus Pterodactylus or order Pterosauria; a pterosaurian; an ornithosaurian; a flying-dragon. Also pterodactylian. from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved. n.

extinct flying reptile from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition New Latin Pterodactylus, genus name : Greek pteron, feather, wing; see -pter + Greek daktulos, finger. from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License From Ancient Greek πτερόν (pteron, "wing") + δάκτυλος (dactulos, "finger") Examples Side note, the music played when Toth-Amon floats off the dark tower balcony and hand-animates into that rad mist-pterodactyl is the some of the best music out of both Conans. Pteradactyl - definition of Pteradactyl by The Free Dictionary Pteradactyl - definition of Pteradactyl by The Free Dictionary Also found in: Thesaurus , Encyclopedia , Wikipedia . pter·o·saur (tĕr′ə-sôr′) n.

Any of various extinct flying reptiles of the group Pterosauria, including the pterodactyls, of the Mesozoic Era, characterized by wings consisting of a membrane of skin extending from the side of the body to the very long fourth digit of the forelimb. [From New Latin Pterosauria, order name : Greek pteron, feather, wing; see -pter + Greek sauros, lizard.] pterosaur (ˈtɛrəˌsɔː) n (Palaeontology) any extinct flying reptile of the order Pterosauria, of Jurassic and Cretaceous times: included the pterodactyls. Compare dinosaur , plesiosaur pter•o•saur (ˈtɛr əˌsɔr) n. any extinct flying reptile of the Jurassic and Cretaceous order Pterosauria characterized by membranous wings supported by one elongated finger on each hand.

[1860–65; < New Latin Pterosauria] pter·o·saur (tĕr′ə-sôr′) Any of various extinct, flying reptiles of the Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods with wings consisting of a flap of skin supported by an elongated fourth digit on each forelimb. Pterosaurs had wingspans ranging from less than a foot (0.3 meter) to close to 50 feet (15.2 meters). ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend: pterodactyl - Dictionary Definition : Vocabulary.com Random Word pterodactyl Pretend that you are living during the Cretaceous period. Then look up at the sky. That fierce winged creature swooping down on you is a pterodactyl, a flying reptile. The word pterodactyl, pronounced "tear-uh-DACK-til," refers to a now-extinct group of winged reptiles known as pterosaurs.

The word comes from the Latin Pterodactylus, the creatures' genus name, which originated in the Greek pteron, meaning “wing,” and daktulos, meaning “finger.” Although technically not a dinosaur, this flying reptile thrived during the same time period is as often seen among dinosaurs in movies. Pterodactyl, Pteranodon & Other Flying 'Dinosaurs' Pterodactyl, Pteranodon & Other Flying 'Dinosaurs' By Joseph Castro, Live Science Contributor | March 18, 2016 01:37pm ET MORE Credit: Joe Tucciarone Credit: Joe Tucciarone Pterodactyl is the common term for the winged reptiles properly called pterosaurs, which belong to the taxonomic order Pterosauria. Scientists typically avoid using the term and concentrate on individual genera, such as Pterodactylus and Pteranodon. There are at least 130 valid pterosaur genera , according to David Hone, a paleontologist at Queen Mary University of London. They were widespread and lived in numerous locations across the globe, from China to Germany to the Americas.

Pterosaurs first appeared in the late Triassic Period and roamed the skies until the end of the Cretaceous Period (228 to 66 million years ago), according to an article published in 2008 in the German scientific journal Zitteliana . Pterosaurs lived among the dinosaurs and became extinct around the same time, but they were not dinosaurs. Rather, pterosaurs were flying reptiles. Modern birds didn't descend from pterosaurs; birds' ancestors were small, feathered, terrestrial dinosaurs. The first pterosaur discovered was Pterodactylus, identified in 1784 by Italian scientist Cosimo Collini, who thought he had discovered a marine creature that used its wings as paddles. A French naturalist, Georges Cuvier, proposed that the creatures could fly in 1801, and then later coined the term "Ptero-dactyle" in 1809 after the discovery of a fossil skeleton in Bavaria, Germany. This was the term used until scientists realized they were finding different genera of flying reptiles. However, "pterodactyl" stuck as the popular term.

Pterodactylus comes from the Greek word pterodaktulos, meaning " winged finger ," which is an apt description of its flying apparatus. The primary component of the wings of Pterodactylus and other pterosaurs were made up of a skin and muscle membrane that stretched from the animals' highly elongated fourth fingers of the hands to the hind limbs. The reptiles also had membranes running between the shoulders and wrists (possibly incorporating the first three fingers of the hands), and some groups of pterosaurs had a third membrane between their legs, which may have connected to or incorporated a tail. Early research suggested pterosaurs were cold-blooded animals that were more suited to gliding than active flying. However, scientists later discovered that some pterosaurs, including Sordes pilosus and Jeholopterus ninchengensis, had furry coats consisting of hairlike filaments called pycnofibers, suggesting they were warm-blooded and generated their own body heat, according to a 2002 study in the Chinese Science Bulletin .

What's more, a 2010 study in the journal PLOS ONE suggested pterosaurs had powerful flight muscles, which they could use to walk as quadrupeds (on all fours) like vampire bats and vault into the air. Once airborne, the largest pterosaurs (Quetzalcoatlus northropi) could reach speeds of over 67 mph (108 kph) for a few minutes and then glide at cruising speeds of about 56 mph (90 kph), the study found. Artwork by Scott Hartman reveals the bone structure of Pteranodon. Credit: © Scott Hartman / All rights reserved Sizes of pterosaurs Pterodactylus antiquus (the only known species of the genus) was a comparatively small pterosaur, with an estimated adult wingspan of about 3.5 feet (1.06 meters), according to a 2012 study in the journal Paläontologische Zeitschrift . There was some confusion early on as to the size of the Pterodactylus, because some of the specimens turned out to be juveniles rather than adults.

Pteranodon, discovered in 1876 by Othniel C. Marsh, was much bigger. It had a wingspan that ranged from 9 to 20 feet (2.7 to 6 m), according to a 2000 study in Current Research in Earth Sciences , a peer-reviewed bulletin of the Kansas Geological Survey. The smallest pterosaur , called Nemicolopterus crypticus, was discovered in the western part of China's Liaoning Province. It had a wingspan of only 10 inches (25 centimeters), according to a description of the animal, published 2008 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences . One of the largest pterosaurs is believed to be Quetzalcoatlus northropi, whose wingspan reached 36 feet (11 m), according to the 2010 PLOS ONE article. Another large pterosaur was Coloborhynchus capito , which had a wingspan of about 23 feet (7 m).

This discovery, described in a 2012 article in the journal Cretaceous Research , followed an examination of a fossil that had been in the Natural History Museum of London since 1884. Physical characteristics Given the large number of different types of pterosaurs, the physical characteristics of the winged reptiles varied widely depending on the genera. Pterosaurs often had long necks, which sometimes had throat pouches similar to pelicans' for catching fish. Most pterosaur skulls were long and full of needlelike teeth. However, pterosaurs of the taxonomic family Azhdarchidae, which ruled the Late Cretaceous skies and included Quetzalcoatlus northropi, were toothless, according to a 2014 study in the journal ZooKeys . A distinguishing feature of pterosaurs was the crest on their heads. Though it was initially thought that pterosaurs had no crests, it's now known that crests were widespread across pterosaur genera and came in various forms. For instance, some pterosaurs had big, bony crests, while other crests were fleshy with no underlying bone.

Some pterosaurs even appear to have had a saillike crest made up of a membrane sheet connecting two large bones on the head. "We now know that pterosaur crests had all kinds of [bone and flesh] combinations," Hone told Live Science. Over the years, scientists have proposed many possible purposes for these crests, including that they were used for heat regulation or to serve as rudders during flight. "But almost all of the hypotheses have failed the most basic tests," Hone said, adding that models show the crests aren't effective rudders and many small pterosaurs have crests even though they wouldn't have needed them to dissipate heat. What seems most likely is that the crests were used for sexual selection, Hone and his colleagues argued in a 2011 study in the journal Lethaia . There are several lines of evidence that support this function of the crests, Hone explained, perhaps most notably that juveniles, which look like miniature versions of adult pterosaurs, don't have crests, suggesting the structures are used for something that is only relevant to adults, such as mating. A look at the Cretaceous-era flying reptile.

Credit: Ross Toro, Livescience contributor What did pterosaurs eat? Pterosaurs were carnivores, though some may have occasionally ate fruits, Hone said. What the reptiles ate depended on where they lived — some species spent their lives around water, while others were more terrestrial. Terrestrial pterosaurs ate carcasses, baby dinosaurs, lizards, eggs, insects and various other animals. "They were probably fairly active hunters of small prey," Hone said. Water-loving pterosaurs ate a variety of marine life, including fish, squid, crab and other shellfish. In 2014, Hone sought to learn more about the lives of marine pterosaurs. With these animals, juveniles dominate the fossil record, Hone said. This is odd because young animals are generally those that are targeted by predators, preventing them from becoming part of the fossil record. One hypothesis to explain this strange occurrence is that the juvenile pterosaurs often died by drowning instead of being eaten. To test this, Hone and his colleague Donald Henderson modeled how well could pterosaurs float on water (like ducks).

They found that pterosaurs floated well, but they had poor floating postures, in which their heads rested very close to the water, if not on the water. This suggests that aquatic pterosaurs wouldn't spend much time on the water's surface and would launch into the air shortly after diving for food to avoid drowning. However, young pterosaurs that don't yet have strong muscles or are still learning to fly would have more difficulties launching back into the air from a dive, possibly resulting in drowning, Hone said. Additional reporting by Kim Ann Zimmermann, Live Science Contributor Related pages What does pterodactyl mean?

Definitions for pterodactylˌtɛr əˈdæk tɪl This page provides all possible meanings and translations of the word pterodactyl Princeton's WordNet(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition: pterodactyl(noun) Wiktionary(3.50 / 2 votes)Rate this definition: pterodactyl(Noun) Any of various small, mostly tailless, extinct flying reptiles of the order Pterosauria that existed during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods Origin: From πτερόν + δάκτυλος Webster Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition: Pterodactyl(noun) an extinct flying reptile; one of the Pterosauria. See Illustration in Appendix Origin: [Gr. a wing + finger, toe: cf. F. ptrodactyle.] Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition: Pterodactyl Pterodactyl is a 2005 horror film that premiered on the Sci Fi Channel. The film is directed by Mark L. Lester.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition: Pterodactyl ter-ō-dak′til, n. an extinct flying reptile with large and bird-like skull, long jaws, and a flying-membrane like that of a bat. [Gr.

pteron, wing, daktylos, finger.] Numerology The numerical value of pterodactyl in Chaldean Numerology is: 6 Pythagorean Numerology pterosaur - Credo Reference pronunciation (1862) : any of an order (Pterosauria) of extinct flying reptiles existing from the Late Triassic throughout the Jurassic and most of the Cretaceous and having a featherless wing membrane extending from the side of the body along the arm to the end of the greatly elongated fourth digit Summary Article: pterosaur from The Columbia Encyclopedia Image from: fossil in The Macmillan Encyclopedia (tĕr'əsôr´´) [Gr., = winged lizard], extinct flying reptile (commonly called pterodactyl [Gr., = wing finger]) of the order Pterosauria, common in the late Triassic and Cretaceous periods, from approximately 228 to 65 million years ago.

At least 60 genera of pterosaurs have been found, sizes ranging from that of a sparrow to that of the huge Quetzalcoatlus, the largest fossils of which have a wingspread of more than 40 ft (12 m), and fossilized tracks suggest that some pterosaurs may have had 60 ft (18 m) wingspans. The earlier species (e.g., Rhamporhynchus) had fully toothed jaws and long tails, but in the later forms (e.g., Pteronodon) the tail was a stump, teeth were lacking, and the jaws were modified into a beak. The skulls of different species differ markedly, presumably as a result of adaptation to capturing different kinds of prey. The flying apparatus of pterosaurs comprised a membranous wing stretched between the fourth finger of the hand and the side of the body. The fifth finger was degenerate, and the first three were free of the wing. The "pteroid" bone, unique to the pterosaur group, attached to the wrist and pointed toward the shoulder, also helped support the wing, and the wings were strengthened by numerous connective tissue fibers. There is no fossil evidence of feathers.

Most researchers now believe that pterosaurs were adapted for active flight, not just gliding as was earlier believed. Their bones are large but hollow, and they possessed a keeled breastbone for the attachment of flying muscles. Debate continues regarding how pterosaurs moved when on the ground and how maneuverable they were in the air. Pterosaurs, unlike the flying dinosaur Archaeopteryx, were not ancestral to the birds but represented a wholly separate line of development. Like dinosaurs, pterosaurs were affected by the mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous period. The Columbia Encyclopedia, © Columbia University Press 2016 Pterodactyl Pterodactyl Up Pterodactyl (derived from the Greek words πτερυζ(ptero) (wing) and δακτυλος(dactyl) (finger) meaning "winged finger", "wing-finger" or "finger-wing") is a common term for some types of pterosaurs or ("wing lizards"), especially the later (mainly late Jurassic or Cretaceous Periods) shorter-tailed examples, which belong to the Suborder Pterodactyloidea.

The wing was a leathery skin covering, over the forelimb. Many specimens preserve a coat of fur. Well-known examples of pterodactyls are Pterodactylus, Dsungaripterus, Pteranodon and Quetzalcoatlus. Prehistoric flying reptiles of this type are sometimes referred to as dinosaurs, but this is incorrect. The term dinosaur is more correctly restricted to a certain group of terrestrial reptiles with a unique upright stance, and therefore excludes the pterosaurs and the various groups of extinct aquatic reptiles, such as ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs, and mosasaurs. Pelycosaurs, such as the sail-backed Dimetrodon, are also commonly confused with dinosaurs, but are actually more closely related to mammals. Another subgroup of pterosaurs, more primitive than the pterodactyloids, is the Suborder Rhamphorhynchoidea, which are mainly found in earlier (Triassic-Jurassic) deposits and usually have long tails. Examples include Dimorphodon, Eudimorphodon, Scaphognathus, Anurognathus, Sordes and Campylognathus.

Fossilised pterosaurs have been found in North America, United Kingdom, Europe, Africa and Australia. The first pterosaur fossil was found by an Italian naturalist, Collini, in 1784. The name "Ptero-dactyle" was first coined by Georges Cuvier in 1809 for a specimen recovered in Germany; however, due to the standardization of scientific names, the official name for this species became Pterodactylus, though the name "pterodactyl" continued to be popularly applied to all members of this first specimen's order. A famous UK find was an example of Dimorphodon by Mary Anning, at Lyme Regis in 1828. A dusty hoax It was reported in an article in The Illustrated London News (February 9, 1856, page 166) that, in 1856, workmen laboring in a tunnel for a railway line, between Saint-Dizier and Nancy, in France, were cutting through Jurassic limestone when a large creature stumbled out from inside it. It fluttered its wings, made a croaking noise and dropped dead.

According to the workers, the creature had a 10 foot wingspan, four legs joined by a membrane, black leathery skin, talons for feet and a toothed mouth. A local student of paleontology identified the animal as a pterodactyl. The report had the animal turn to dust, as soon as it had died. Supported by the lack of evidence, this story is believed to have been a hoax, stimulated in part by contemporary Franco-Prussian palaeontological rivalry. The Solnhofen limestone from Bavaria (in which Archaeopteryx would later be discovered) was producing many prized fossils, each of which was proudly announced by German paleontologists. The tunnel in question was through limestone of similar age to the Solnhofen Limestone, so it presented an opportunity for a graphic rival French story. Pterodactyls in popular culture A number of creatures in popular culture are called pterodactyls. Often, these creatures are in fact pteranodons. French comic book artist Jean 'Moebius' Giraud has featured pterodactyl-like creatures which appear to be made of concrete in several of his works, including Arzach and The Incal.

The pterodactyl is the power source of the Pink Ranger in the television series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. (The animal was actually a pteranodon, but it was thought that children might be confused with "Mastodon" and "Pteranodon" right after each other in the morphing order, so the pterodactyl was chosen instead; in the show it derived from, Kyouryuu Sentai ZyuRanger, the creature was indeed a pteranodon.) Another pterodactyl, known as the Pterazord, is used by the Yellow Ranger in Power Rangers: Dino Thunder. Petrie in The Land Before Time films is called by most a pterodactyl, and so is Pterri on Pee Wee's Playhouse . The Dinobot Swoop from The Transformers is often called a pterodactyl, however he most resembled a pteranodon when transformed. In the Mac OS X game Nanosaur 2, the player takes the form of a Pterodactyl. At MIT, the pterodactyl is the unofficial mascot of chemical engineering students.

The mascot is named the "Course X Pterodactyl" (referring to the department number (ten) of the chemical engineering department). The horror film Pterodactyl. The band Pterodactyl. Though only referred to as "gwangi", the dinosaurs in Steve Berman's short story "Secrets of the Gwangi" that hunt a pair of gay cowboys are pterodactyls. Torchwood, a Doctor Who spin-off, features one as a pet. In the arcade classic Joust the invincable Pterodactyl swoops in and dismounts you if you do not complete the level quickly. Pterosauromorpha - definition of Pterosauromorpha by The Free Dictionary Pterosauromorpha - definition of Pterosauromorpha by The Free Dictionary Also found in: Thesaurus , Encyclopedia , Wikipedia . pter·o·saur (tĕr′ə-sôr′) n.

Any of various extinct flying reptiles of the group Pterosauria, including the pterodactyls, of the Mesozoic Era, characterized by wings consisting of a membrane of skin extending from the side of the body to the very long fourth digit of the forelimb. [From New Latin Pterosauria, order name : Greek pteron, feather, wing; see -pter + Greek sauros, lizard.] pterosaur (ˈtɛrəˌsɔː) n (Palaeontology) any extinct flying reptile of the order Pterosauria, of Jurassic and Cretaceous times: included the pterodactyls. Compare dinosaur , plesiosaur pter•o•saur (ˈtɛr əˌsɔr) n. any extinct flying reptile of the Jurassic and Cretaceous order Pterosauria characterized by membranous wings supported by one elongated finger on each hand.

[1860–65; < New Latin Pterosauria] pter·o·saur (tĕr′ə-sôr′) Any of various extinct, flying reptiles of the Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods with wings consisting of a flap of skin supported by an elongated fourth digit on each forelimb. Pterosaurs had wingspans ranging from less than a foot (0.3 meter) to close to 50 feet (15.2 meters). ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend: Pterodactyl | Article about pterodactyl by The Free Dictionary Pterodactyl | Article about pterodactyl by The Free Dictionary Also found in: Dictionary , Thesaurus , Wikipedia . pterodactyl (tĕrədăk`tĭl), popular term for a pterosaur pterosaur [Gr., = winged lizard], extinct flying reptile (commonly called pterodactyl [Gr., = wing finger]) of the order Pterosauria, common in the late Triassic and Cretaceous periods, from approximately 228 to 65 million years ago. .....

Click the link for more information. . pterodactyl The common name for members of the extinct reptilian order Pterosauria. pterodactyl any extinct flying reptile of the genus Pterodactylus and related genera, having membranous wings supported on an elongated fourth digit Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us , add a link to this page, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content . Link to this page: Falk, Nick (text) Tony Flowers (illus.): Tyrannosaurus in the Veggie Patch A T-Rex Rocking Chair makes rocking an adventure, a T-Rex pushcart makes transporting toys or games a breeze, and at the end of the day children can hang up their coat on a pterodactyl coat tree or in a special valet rack made for storing jackets and boots. The History of Life - Reptiles Reptiles: Early Consumers on Land Evolutionary Novelty: New morphological innovations that define newly established groups: The amniotic egg: a space capsule for the reptilian embryo. The major evolutionary step to a fully terrestrial existence was accomplished primarily due to innovation in reproduction.

As one of their diagnostic features, reptiles have an amniote egg, a reproductive character that eventually allowed them to dominate many available land habits. Diagnostic features that developed in the gradual evolution of amphibians to reptiles: Fairly com­mon intermediate forms that combined a blend of typical amphibian and reptilian characters (see figure below). In general, early reptiles stabilized a particular style of back­bone construction. The lack of an otic notch in reptiles, the ear being situated at the rear of the skull. Bones of the back part of the reptilian skull are reduced in number and size, a continuation of the trend present from rhipidistian fish to amphibians. A mounted skeleton of the Permian amphibian Seymouriafrom Central Texas (see image). This small animal, approximately 60 cm (2 ft) long, shows a unique blend of amphibian and reptilian characters but is much too young to have been the direct ancestor of reptiles. Notice that an otic notch is still present in the back of the skull.

Other anatomical features resemble those of reptiles.(Courtesy of National of Natural History.) How to tell early reptiles from others The most important feature for distinguishing one type of early reptile from another is the structure of the bones in the temple region of the skull, behind the eye, called temporal openings, whichprovide data that is used in subdividing all major reptile groups. The reptiles of this group are referred to as stem reptiles or anapsidsbecause they are the ones from which the other, more advanced reptiles are thought to have evolved. The only living anapsids are the turtles and tortoises (see figure below) The synapsids: or mammal-like reptiles have a single temporal opening low on the side of the skull, beneath the postorbital and squamosal bones. They are extinct but very important because mammals evolved from this group of reptiles. The diapsids: or ruling reptiles have two openings, one above the other, separated by a bony connection between the postorbital and squamosal bones. They include the dinosaurs of the Mesozoic Era, as well as most living reptiles-the crocodiles, alligators, snakes, and lizards.

The euryapsids: have a single opening high on the skull, above the postorbital and squamosal bones, a condition derived from their diapsid ancestor. Include the ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs. Most euryapsids had an aquatic or semiaquatic way of life. Thecodonts: important diapsid group which gave rise to the groups known as dinosaurs before the close of the Triassic. The thecodonts first appeared during the Early Triassic and became extinct at the close of the system. Some the­codonts ran on all four legs (quadrupedal), others exhibited a new bipedal, or two-legged stance. By the end of the Triassic, thecodonts had given rise to both groups of dinosaurs, the Saurischia and Ornithischia The Saurischia (lizard-hipped): the termcomes from sauria, meaning reptile, and ischia, referring to the ischium bone of the pelvis. These dinosaurs had a pelvis built like that of many other reptiles, hence the name lizard-hipped dinosaurs.From them evolved the other major group of dinosaurs.

The Ornithischia (bird-hipped):which appeared at the end of the Triassic. This group had a birdlike pelvis. REPTILES Different subclasses are distinguished by skull structure Anapsids: no holes on side of skull (turtles, extinct primitive [stem] reptiles) Synapsids: 1 hole on lower side of skull (extinct mammal-like [pelycosaur & therapsid] reptiles). Synapsids ('fused arch'), also known as theropsids ('beast face'), are a class of animals that includes mammals and everything closer to mammals than to other living amniotes.The non-mammalian members were traditionally described as mammal-like reptiles, and are sometimes referred to as "proto-mammals" or "stem-mammals". Euryapsids: 1 hole on upper side of skull (most extinct marine reptiles. Examples of euryapsids are: icthyosaur, plesiosaur, nothosaur, placodont. This group of reptiles is included in the informal class Euryapsida which is considered to be an unnatural, polyphyletic group, as the various members are not closely related.

This group of reptiles is distinguished by a single temporal fenestra, an opening behind the orbit, under which the post-orbital and squamosal bones articulate.

Diapsids: 2 HOLES on side of skull (MOST LIVING REPTILES [lizard, snake, crocodile, tuatara]; extinct DINOSAURS; extinct FLYING [pterosaur] REPTILES, & MOSASAURS [extinct marine reptiles]) DIAPSIDS: 2 HOLES on side of skull (MOST LIVING REPTILES [lizard, snake, crocodile, tuatara]; extinct DINOSAURS; extinct FLYING [pterosaur] REPTILES, & MOSASAURS [extinct marine reptiles]) Many new reptile types appeared in the Triassic TURTLES (Mesozoic turtles had teeth); TUATARAS: lizards of New Zealand CROCODILES (Cretaceous forms got to be as long as 15 m) LIZARDS & SNAKES (snakes evolved from lizards by the Cretaceous) MARINE & FLYING REPTILES & DINOSAURS (see below) THECODONTS (teeth set in sockets) - a MOSTLY BIPEDAL GROUP that GAVE RISE to CROCODILES, LIZARDS, SNAK

ES, FLYING REPTILES & DINOSAURS The Triassic land fauna was dominated by therapsids & thecodonts MARINE REPTILES Several groups with marine adaptations, including paddle-shaped limbs, streamlined bodies, & reproductive adaptations for birth of young at sea.

Euryapsids:PLACODONTS; NOTHOSAURS; PLESIOSAURS (long necks; short, tailless bodies; flippers); ICTHYOSAURS (MOST FISH-LIKE MARINE REPTILE [convergent with dolphins]) Anapsids:SEA TURTLES Diapsids: MARINE CROCODILES OCCURRED MOSTLY DURING JURASSIC; MOSASAURS (SHORT NECKS; LONG BODIES & TAILS) Diapsid Skull: The name Diapsida means "two arches", and diapsids are traditionally classified based on their two ancestral skull openings (temporal fenestrae) posteriorly above and below the eye. Synapsid Skull: Synapsids evolved a temporal fenestra behind each eye orbit on the lateral surface of the skull. It may have evolved to provide new attachment sites for jaw muscles. Anapsid Skull: An anapsid is an amniote whose skull does not have openings near the temples Euryapsid Skull: distinguished by a single temporal fenestra , an opening behind the orbit, under which the post-orbital and squamosal bones articulate.

j: jugal Images source: Therapsids: "mammal-like reptiles" cynodonts : ancestor of Mammalia. Thecodont ("socket-toothed" reptile), now considered an obsolete term, was formerly used to describe a diverse range of early archosaurs that first appeared in the Latest Permian and flourished until the end of the Triassic period. The group includes the ancestors of dinosaurs (including birds), and ancestors of pterosaurs, and crocodilians, as well as a number of extinct forms that did not give rise to any descendants. - Theropods - Theropods are a group of bipedal saurischian dinosaurs. Although they were primarily carnivorous, a number of theropod families evolved herbivory during the Cretaceous System. Theropods first appear during the Carnian stage of the Upper Triassic about 220 million years ago (MYA) and were the sole large terrestrial carnivores from the Lower Jurassic until the close of the Cretaceous, about 65 MYA. Today, they are represented by the 9,300 living species of birds, which evolved in the Upper Jurassic from small specialized coelurosaurian dinosaurs.

- Tetrapoda: "four feet" thecodonts Archosauria (the "ruling reptiles": is a major group of diapsids, differentiated from the other diapsids by the presence of single openings in each side of the skull, in front of the eyes (antorbital fenestrae), among other characteristics. The ancestral archosaurs probably originated some 250 million years or so ago, in the upper Permian period. Their descendants (such as the dinosaurs) dominated the realm of the terrestrial vertebrates for a majority of the Mesozoic Era. Today, only the birds and crocodilians exist to provide a glimpse into the past glory of archosaurs.

THE DINOSAURS 1.Evolved in the Triassic & expanded & diversified in the Jurassic & Cretaceous 2.Traditionally divided into two orders based on hip structure: Saurischia (lizard-hipped) & Ornithischia (bird-hipped) 3.Early dinosaurs were mostly Saurichians, which are divided into 2 suborders: (a) Bipedal carnivorous theropods, and (b) giant, 4-footed herbivorous sauropods 4.The Ornithischians are divided into 5 suborders:Stegosaurs, Ankylosaurs, Ceratopsians, Ornithopods, and Pachycephalosauria All were herbivorous with the front teeth replaced by a beak & cheek teeth adapted for crushing coarse vegetation Ornithopods, ankylosaours & ceratopsians were low browsers and were the dominant herbivores during the cretaceous Note: Robert Bakker has suggested that replacement of high browsing sauropods by low browsing ornithischians aided fast growing angiosperms in replacing slow growing gymnosperms as the dominant land plant Arguments in favor of warm-bloodedness (

Endothermy) Predator to prey ratios; erect stance; richly vascularized bones; growth rates; social behavior & migration of herds; hair on flying reptiles; complete dominance over mammals Arguments in favor of cold-bloodedness (Ectothermy) Dinosaurs were reptiles & modern reptiles are cold-blooded; erect stance & vascularized bones were responses to large size; large size itself Still an open question NOTE: it is no longer accepted that dinosaurs were slow & ponderous; dinosaur behavior probably like bird & mammal behavior.

Theropods were quick & agile; large sauropods & ornithischians assembled in social herds; smaller sauropods & ornithischians behaved in a birdlike way. SUMMARY OF DINOSAUR TAXONOMY Iguanodon Parasaurolophus Some ornithopods, such as Apatosaurus, had a bill-like mouth and are called duck-billed dinosaurs. Size from a few meters Long up to 13 m and 3.6 metric tons. Especially diverse and common during the Cretaceous. Primarily bipedal herbivores, but could also walk on all fours. Pachycephalosauria Stegoceras Stegoceras only 2 m Long and 55 kg, but larger species known. Thick bones of skull cap might have aided in butting contests for dominance and mates. Bipedal herbivores of Cretaceous. Ankylosauria Ankylosaurus Ankylosaurus more than 7 m Long and about 2.5 metric tons. Heavily armored with bony plates on top of head, back, and sides. Quadrupedal herbivore.

Stegosauria Stegosaurus A variety of stegosaurs are known, but Stegosaurus, with bony plates on its back and a spiked tail is best known. Plates probably were for absorbing and dissipating heat. Quadrupedal herbi­vores that were most common during the Jurassic. Stegosaurus 9 m Long, 1.8 metric tons. Ceratopsia Triceratops Numerous genera known. Some early ones bipedal, but Later Large animals were Quadrupedal herbivores. Much variation in size; Triceratops to 7.6 m Long and 5.4 metric tons, with Large bony frill over top of neck, three horns on skull, and beaklike mouth. Especially common during the Cretaceous. SAURISCHIAN DINOSAURS The saurischians include two dis­tinct groups known as theropods and sauropods(see table above). Theropods(beast-footed): Typical genus Tyrannosaurus;bipedal carnivores.

Upper Triassic to end of Cretaceous.Size from 0.6 to 15 m long, 2 or 3 kg to 7.3 metric tons. Some smaller genera may have hunted in packs. All theropods were carnivorous bipeds that var­ied from tiny Compsognathus to giants such as Tyrannosaurus and similar but even larger species. Other genera include Allosaurus, Compsognathus, Deinonychus, Velociraptor, and Coelophysis. In 1996, Chinese scientists discovered several theropods with feathers. No one doubts that these dinosaurs had feathers, and molecular evidence indicates they were composed of the same material as bird feathers. Sauropods (reptile-footed): Typical genus Brachiosaurus; Giant Quadrupedal herbivores. Upper Triassic to Cretaceous, but most common during Jurassic. Size up to 27 m long, 75 metric tons. Track ways indicate sauropods lived in herds.

Preceded in fossil record by the smaller prosauropods includes the truly giant, quadrupedal herbivorous dinosaurs such as Apatosaurus, Diplodocus, Apatosaurus,Camarasaurus, and Titanosaurus; the largest land animals ever. Brachiosaurus, a gi­ant even by sauropod standards, may have weighed 75 met­ric tons, and partial remains from several areas indicate that even larger sauropods may have existed. Track ways show that sauropods moved in herds. Sauropods were preceded in the fossil record by the smaller Upper Triassic to Lower Jurassic prosauropods, which were undoubtedly related to sauropods but probably not their ancestors. Sauropods were most common during the Jurassic; only a few genera existed during the Cretaceous. ORNITHISCHIAN DINOSAURS All were herbivorous with the front teeth replaced by a beak & cheek teeth adapted for crushing coarse vegetation Ornithopods, ankylosaours and ceratopsians were low browsers and were the dominant herbivores during the cretaceous.

Note: Robert Bakker has suggested that replacement of high browsing sauropods by low browsing ornithischians aided fast growing angiosperms in replacing slow growing gymnosperms as the dominant land plant. Five Classes of Ornithischians are recognized: Ornithopoda, Pachycephalosauria, Anky­losauria, Stegosauria, and Ceratopsia (see table above). Ornithopoda(bird-footed): Typical genus Maiasaura ("good mother dinosaur"). Some ornithopods, such as Apatosaurus, had a bill-like mouth and are called duck-billed dinosaurs. Size from a few meters long up to 13 m and 3.6 metric tons. Especially diverse and common during the Cretaceous. Primarily bipedal herbivores, but could also walk on all fours. Consist of several subgroups, including the familiar duck-billed dinosaurs or hadrosaurs. Hadrosaurs (duck-billed dinosaurs) were especially numerous during the Cretaceous, and several species had head crests that may have been used to amplify bellowing, for sexual display, or for species recognition.

All ornithopods were herbivorous and pri­marily bipedal, but they had well-developed front limbs that allowed them to walk in a quadrupedal fashion, too. The Upper Cretaceous ornithopods Miasaura ("good mother dinosaur") nested in colonies and used the same nesting area repeatedly where 2 m diameter nests were placed 7 m apart or about the length of an adult. Some nests contain juveniles up to 1 m long, which is much larger than when they hatched, so they probably stayed in the nest area where adults protected them and perhaps fed them. The fact that these animals lived in vast herds is demonstrated by the fossils of an estimated 10,000 individuals in a single bone bed in Montana. Apparently they were overcome by toxic gases from a volcano and later buried in flood deposits. Other genera included in this class are Hypsilophodon (' high-ridge tooth'), Iguanodon, and Parasaurolophus View some specimens of Maiasaura Pachycephalosauria: Typical genus: Stegoceras; only 2 m Long and 55 kg, but larger species known.

Thick bones of skull cap might have aided in butting contests for dominance and mates. Bipedal herbivores of Cretaceous. The most distinctive feature of the pachycephalosaurs is their thick-boned, dome-shaped skull. The traditional view of these as animals that butted heads for dominance or mates has been challenged. Now some paleon­tologists note that the thick skull bones are found only in ju­veniles but not in adults. In any case, pachycephalosaurs were bipedal herbivores that varied from 1 to 4.5 m long. Their fossils are known only from Late Cretaceous-aged rocks. Ceratopsia (horned dinosaurs):Typical genus Triceratops. Numerous genera known. Some early ones bipedal, but Later Large animals were Quadrupedal herbivores. Much variation in size; Triceratops to 7.6 m Long and 5.4 metric tons, with Large bony frill over top of neck, three horns on skull, and beaklike mouth.

Especially common during the Cretaceous.The fossil record of ceratopsians (horned dinosaurs) shows that small Lower Cretaceous animals were the ancestors of large Upper Cretaceous genera such as Triceratops. Triceratops and related genera with huge heads, a large bony frill over the neck, and a horn or horns on the skull were very common in North America. Fossil track ways show that these large, quadrupedal herbivores moved in herds. Furthermore, bone beds with fossils from a single species indicate that large numbers of ceratopsians perished quickly, probably during river crossings. Stegosauria: Typical genus Stegosaurus. A variety of stegosaurs are known, but Stegosaurus, with bony plates on its back and a spiked tail is best known. Plates probably were for absorbing and dissipating heat. Quadrupedal herbi­vores were most common during the Jurassic. Stegosaurus 9 m long, 1.8 metric tons.The most distinctive features of Stegosaurus include being a medium-sized, herbivorous quadruped from the Jurassic System, are a spiked tail, almost certainly used for defense, and plates on its back.

The exact arrangement of these plates is uncertain, although they are usually depicted in two rows with the plates on one side offset from those on the other. In any case, most paleontol­ogists think the plates functioned to absorb and dissipate heat. Ankylosauria: Typical genus Ankylosaurus, more than 7 m Long and about 2.5 metric tons. Heavily armored with bony plates on top of head, back and sides. Quadrupedal herbivore. Were quadrupedal herbivores and more heavily armored than any other dinosaur. Bony armor protected the animal's back, flanks, and top of the head. The tail of some species such as Ankylosaurus ended in a bony club that undoubtedly could de­liver a crippling blow to an attacking predator. Flying Reptiles First flying reptiles - gliders Pterosaurs - active flyers with maneuvering ability, wings were skin stretched between elongated 4th finger, sides of the body & rear limbs.

Pterosaurs were warm-blooded - fine hair covers well preserved pterosaurs Paleozoic insects were the first animals to achieve flight, but the first among vertebrates were pterosaurs, or flying reptiles, which were common in the skies from the Upper Triassic until their extinction at the end of the Cretaceous. Adaptations for flight include a wing membrane supported by an elongated fourth finger, light, hollow bones; and development of those parts of the brain that con­trolled muscular coordination and sight. Because at least one pterosaur species had a coat of hair or hair like feathers, possi­bly it, and it is likely that all pterosaurs, were endotherms. Pterosaurs : Are generally depicted in movies as large, aggressive creatures, but some were no bigger than to day's sparrows, robins, and crows. However, a few species had wingspans of several meters, and the wingspan of one Cre­taceous pterosaur was at least 12 m.

Nevertheless, even the very largest species probably weighed no more than a few tens of kilograms.Experiments and studies of fossils indicate that the wing bones of large pterosaurs such as Pteranodon were too weak for sustained flapping. These comparatively large animals probably took advantage of rising air currents to stay airborne, mostly by soaring but occasionally flapping their wings for maneuvering. In contrast, smaller pterosaurs probably stayed aloft by vigorously flapping their wings just as present-day small birds do. PTERODACTYLOIDS - advanced pterosaurs with no tails & some had enormous wingspans: - Pteranodon = 7 m; Quetzalcoatlusnorthropi = 15.5 m Mesozoic Marine Reptiles Several types of Mesozoic reptiles adapted to a marine en­vironment, including turtles and some crocodiles, and the Triassic mollusk-crushing placodonts. Best know exaples of marine reptilesareichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs and mosasaurs. Ichthyosaurs :Used their powerful tail for propulsion and maneuvered with their flipper like forelimbs.

They had nu­merous sharp teeth, and preserved stomach contents reveal a diet of fish, cephalopods, and other marine organisms. It is doubtful that ichthyosaurs could come onto land, so females must have retained eggs within their bodies and given birth to live young. A few fossils with small ichthyosaurs in the ap­propriate part of the body cavity support this interpretation. Plesiosaurs :Belonged to one of two subgroups: short-necked and long-necked. Most were modest-sized animals 3.6 to 6 m long, but one species found in Antarctica measures 15 m. Short-necked ple­siosaurs might have been bottom feeders, but their long­necked cousins may have used their necks in a snakelike fashion, and their numerous sharp teeth, to capture fish. These animals probably came ashore to lay their eggs. Mosasaurs :They were Upper Cretaceous marine lizards related to the present-day Komodo dragon or monitor lizard. Some species measured no more than 2.5 m long, but a few such as Tylosaurus were large, measuring up to 9 m.

Mosasaur limbs resemble paddles and were used mostly for maneuvering, whereas the long tail provided propulsion. Crocodiles, Turtles, Lizards, and Snakes Crocodiles: They develop since Jurassic time, crocodiles had become the most common freshwater predators. All crocodiles are amphibious, spend­ing much of their time in water, but they are well equipped for walking on land. Overall, crocodile evolution has been conservative, involving changes mostly in size from a meter or so in Jurassic forms to 15 m in some Cretaceous species. Turtles: Have been evolutionarily conservative since their appearance during the Triassic. The most remarkable feature of turtles is their heavy, bony armor; turtles are more thoroughly armored than any other vertebrate animal, liv­ing or fossil. Turtle ancestry is uncertain. One Permian ani­mal had eight broadly expanded ribs, which may represent the first stages in the development of turtle armor. Lizards and snakes:Are closely related, and lizards were in fact ancestral to snakes. The limbless condition in snakes (some lizards are limbless, too) and skull mod­ifications that allow snakes to open their mouths very wide are the main difference between these two groups.

Lizards are known from Upper Permian strata, but they were not abundant until the Upper Cretaceous. Snakes first appear in the Cretaceous, but the families to which most living snakes belong differentiated since the Early Miocene. One Lower Cretaceous genus from Israel shows characteristics intermediate between snakes and their lizard ancestors.

Question: 'Wing finger' is the literal meaning of which extinct reptile?
Answer: Pterodactyl